Beatrice Duran

Beatrice Lucero Duran died Saturday, March 17, 2012, in Ignacio, Colo. She was 76.

Mrs. Duran, known as “Bea,” was born April 18, 1935, in Montrose, Colo., the daughter of Julio and Margaret Lucero. Bea grew up in Ignacio. She met Chris Duran in the 8th grade. Later they were married July 29, 1951, in Ouray, Colo. After they were married, Chris worked in the mines in Telluride and she worked as a waitress. They moved to Ignacio for a few years, and then in 1961 to California, where Bea worked in an electronics plant and as a homemaker. They moved back to Ignacio in 1994, and Bea helped support the family by working as a bookkeeper in Chris's construction business.

Bea was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church. She enjoyed camping, gardening, ceramics, weaving, crocheting, and dancing. She taught herself to play the piano and organ. Her family remembers that she was a wonderful cook. Her husband, Chris, said, "She was always happy for sure -- very full of life. She had a great sense of humor. "

She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Leonard Lucero.

Bea is survived by her husband, Chris, of Ignacio; children: Sharon Quevedo of San Jose, Calif., Becky Varano of Boulder Creek, Calif., Debbie Pate of Patterson, Calif., and Marcella Mitobe of Los Gatos, Calif.; brother, Paul Lucero, of San Jose, Calif., and half-brother, Adolph Lucero, of Salt Lake City, Utah; grandchildren: Christina Sorci, Brian Anderson, Vicky Howe, Serena Hendriks, Bobbie Quevedo, Jared Hendriks, and Sarah Hendriks, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 22, 2012, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Ignacio.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hoodmortuary.com. A complete listing of family members may be seen on the website as well.